Stubod

..I would be put off by auto gears...seems to be a solution for a problem that does not exist?...and yet more to go wrong..

Hi SJ, and thanks for the link, I put in all the relevant variables and pretty much bang on what I actually get!

I undertand there are lots of variables to take into account, but just out of interest what is the best range somebody has got out of their e-bike, and what bike / motor combo is it?

..simple, use the dynamo to re-charge the battery as you are going along..

..must admit when I was testing out various bikes before getting mine the front hub system was my least preferred option as it didn't feel "natural" compared to crank drives, (the best for me), or a rear hub motor. But I understand that if you want hub gears as well you are a bit restricted. I also like the idea of a "kit" system that you can hopefully get replacement bits in the longer term.

..I think I will make sure it never goes out in the rain!

..well, being an engineer of sorts I thought I had better look up a video to actually find out how the Nexus hub works...!!! Suffice to say after watching a couple of them I still have no clue, other than "probably magic". I think if I had seen these before I got one I would have probably stuck with conventional gears!...how they work, and why they work is a mystery to me and hats off to the person / persons who developed them. I am amazed that they last more than about 10 revolutions let alone many miles. I certainly won't be taking one apart for home maintenance anytime soon! On the basis that ignorance is bliss, I wish I hadn't looked now!

..slightly off topic, but I find ViewRanger really good...about £25 per year with some really good features and lots of routes available..

Hi, exactly the same as me! Initially decided I wanted hub gears and chain but ended up with a Centros, (£500 off at the time so put it into budget as I originally wanted a Motus but could not get cross bar with hub gears). The Centros is hub gears with belt drive, only done 250 miles to date but so far so good. Managed 90 miles between battery charges mainly in "ECO" mode which I find is enough for most riding with an occasional boost to Tour or Boost mode for the hilly bits.

I originally wanted a Motus but ended up with a Centros instead. I have been happy with it so far, (only had it a couple of weeks and circa 135 miles so far) If you have a look at my thread, (...too many choices) you will see I have made some comments on there. Personally I preferred the looks of the Motus, (a bit more traditional), but I also prefer the 8 speed hub gear and belt drive. I don't think you will be disappointed with either. (Current range I am getting on the Centros is 90 miles, but as above I have only had it for "one charge" so far...)

Really depends on your budget. As per my recent thread, (..too many choices), I decided I wanted crank drive, (Bosch latest gen motor), with hub gears and ended up with a Raleigh Centros GT, ( would have been over budget but was on offer at £500+ off list, and also I could not find a Motus with the spec I wanted. This particular model, also came with a Gates belt drive so will (hopefully), be maintenance free. I am 60+ and have not cycled for a few years, (knee problems), average height and weigh in at 13 stone. We live in mid Wales so a combination of some flat bits with more than a few hilly bits! So far I have managed several rides from between 12 miles, and the longest one (today) at 32 miles which took about 2hs 45 mins. Battery range was on 90miles when I started (fully charged) and had dropped to 70 miles left when I got home. (The Bosch Intuvia display system very user friendly and offer all the usual stuff, speed, average speed, time, range, battery indicator). On it's first charge it did just over 90 miles on mainly "ECO" setting, (ie the lowest power setting) which although is less than they advertise (as I expected), it is still more than enough for me! Most of the bikes I viewed within this price point all seemed to have a similar spec, although in the UK people seem to prefer the derailleur gear system. For "gentle touring" I prefer the hub drive. I would have been happy with a chain, but pleased with the belt drive so far. There is a lot on the 'tinternet regarding pros and cons for both. eg hub and belt probably weigh a little more and offer a narrower gear range, but I think they offer a better engineering solution as the belt / chain remains "static" rather than moves across gears and every derailleur bike I've owned has lost its adjustment at some point. and never seems to work smoothly over the long term. Against hubs/belts are that they tend to cost more and if you do have a problem they will be more difficult (and expensive) to fix. Due to Covid and having had to cancel all our holiday plans this year I have really only returned to cycling in the last few weeks and I don't consider myself to be particularly fit anymore, (a daily 2 mile "shuffle" is my main exercise), so I think the fact that I managed a 30+ miler today without really breaking sweat says it all! I would definitely recommend an e-bike, particularly now as the tech has moved on so much. You may not need a 500W battery, but it's always nice to know "you can get home" as you would not want to cycle an e-bike without it's battery! If you don't have the sort of budget that would stretch this type of bike, (Raleigh, Cube, Trek, Volt et all), then there seem to be some really nice bikes for a lot less, apart from that you pays your money....etc... ..happy hunting...

...pretty much the same as me! I was going to get the Motus (mainly because I decided I would prefer the Bosch motor), but by the time I had made my mind up I couldn't find any "medium" step Motus bikes with hub gears. However I found a dealer that was advertising a Raleigh Centros GT at virtually the same price as the Motus so I got that instead. Only a couple of weeks and 100 miles into ownership but happy so far, (reported on earlier thread). I guess most bikes around that price all have similar spec machines so probably not a lot to choose between them in reality? Like you I really wanted some test rides but that was not going to happen anytime soon, and I did not want to "miss" all this good weather. Luckily when I ordered my bike it was instock and it arrived within a few days so I have now been riding every other day give or take... Anyhow, enjoy your bike when it arrives, and hopefully the weather will stay good for you a little longer!

OK so I have now finally "emptied" the battery after completing 6 trips totaling 90 miles. The battery dropped to one bar left at the 82 mile mark, and when I got home it was showing 3 mile range left. Again the range indicator is a bit meaningless as on part of the rides I was not using any battery, and while I am happy with a nominal range of 90 miles it is somewhat short of the quoted range. I would guess that 90% + of my cycling was done in "ECO" mode with the occasional boost to "Sport (3rd power setting) to get up a couple of hilly bits. I am unlikely to ever do 90 miles in one trip, but happy to work on each "bar" giving a safe range of about 15 miles, and will treat one bar as "reserve, so (hopefully) a safe range on a full charge of 60 miles, (I am planning a couple of 50 mile trips). Only problem with the bike is that I noted the lower battery mounting bracket, (includes the lock mechanism) is held in place by 2 smallish screws and both had either come lose, or had not been correctly tightened on assembly resulting in the battery dropping and occasionally disconnecting itself over a bit of rough ground. Luckily spotted this when I was taking the battery out to charge it, (although you can charge it in situ). The screws are of the "security" type (ie with a pin sticking up to prevent the use of standard star drive bits). Luckily I had a set so was able to re-tighten them., but will be keeping an eye on them. (Surprised there are no spring washers fitted?).

I was going to buy the Motus, but couldn't find one with crossbar and hub gears so ended up buying the Centros instead as it was on offer for virtually the same price as the Motus. Actually prefer the looks of the Motus, but so far (only a week and 80 miles!) I am happy with the Centros, (which also has belt drive...).

..well done!..perhaps they have been reading this thread!...either way, enjoy your new ride!! Do report back with your thoughts on your new toy...